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Everything’s coming up Roses for MSU!

The Rose Bowl is here; today our guys play their hearts out in Pasadena, California. You see, I’m a proud Michigan State University Alum. I was a freshman the year our Spartans last went to the granddaddy of all bowl games in 1988. The Rose Bowl has always been HUGE for teams in the Midwest. It was and is the “pot of gold” at the end of the season. If you went to the Rose Bowl you “made it.”

Game Day with my Boys

MSU College Days

26 years later — which is frankly amazing, given that I’m still only “29” in my mind 🙂 — I will be supporting my team all the way from Northern Michigan. I’ll wear my finest Spartan gear. My three kids will be decked out in all things Green with a Spartan “S.”

I’m a HUGE fan. Of course I’m disappointed I didn’t have enough “green” to get to the Rose Bowl in person. There is just something about being a part of the waves of Green in the stands, hearing the cheers of the crowd, singing along to the Fight Song when we score. Disclaimer: I invested my “green” earlier in a Justin Timberlake experience , so I really can’t complain. Hey! Life is a series of choices, right?

Through the years, I’ve had a “thing” for Sparty the famous MSU mascot. I cringe at the number of photos I’ve taken through the years with him beginning with the “big-haired college girl” who rushed the field from the student section after a big game. Of course, way back then, we snapped photos with our film cameras. Selifies, videos, texting friends during the game weren’t even options. We were ALL about the GAME. (Well, yes, a couple people may or may not have snuck in some alcohol… but I’m sure that does NOT happen anymore!) 🙂

Tailgating Moms

Tailgates & Friends

My all-time favorite moments are the beginning of a Spartan Game, with the band playing, the cheerleaders, MSU Motion, and the fans cheering as the Players blast through a tunnel of smoke…

I solemnly vow to wear green and white day and night through January 1, 2014 and the big game. I will high-five random people I pass who are also wearing Michigan State apparel (I just had a random fan high-five moment this morning at Meijer in Traverse City, Michigan.) I will watch the MSU Spartan Marching Band “up close” on my big screen TV during the ROSE Parade. I may even rewind the DVR to hear it again, because I can. I will read “Sparty” children’s books to my daughter, I’ll play the fight song LOUDLY in our house, have a virtual tailgate in our house to support our Spartans. I will check in with my Facebook friends who will be “on the front lines” in Pasadena. Then it will be time for Kick OFF…